This article appeared in the August 27th Issue of TV Times
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By David Maull
TV Times

Situated on the canal at the foot of the Route 54 bridge in Fenwick Island, Shark's Cove offers visitors a winning combination.

Its prime waterfront location, second-story dining room and upscale menu provide a dining experience few others on the Delaware Coast can match.

"There are not too many waterfront places," said Shark's Cove owner Ed O'Malley. "We try to offer a little more upscale (dining)."

The strategy has worked so well that in 1997 Shark's Cove was named best upscale waterfront restaurant by Delaware Today magazine.

Its menu has a strong emphasis on seafood, with three fresh fish entrees each day along with other favorites such as crab cakes, stuffed shrimp, shrimp scampi and broiled scallops.

Other dishes include prime rib, chicken margarite, veal michele and a fettuccini entree called "Cove Pasta."

A large appetizer selection features Maryland crab soup, stuffed mushroom caps, crab dip, clams casino and fresh melon with prosciutto.

Located next to a 31-slip marina, Shark's Cove allows visitors to arrive by car or boat. Additional atmosphere is provided by an adjacent watersports business that rents jet skis and other watercraft.

Those dining on the outdoor deck should find the setting especially inviting.

"Just the shear activity of it gives people something to watch," O'Malley said. "We cater to families."

Shark's Cove serves lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch and offers children's and early bird menus. Happy hour is 3-6 p.m. daily. Perhaps the most popular attraction is the performance of the Art Curley Trio every Sunday from 4-7 p.m.

"It's absolutely packed," O'Malley said of the Curley show. "They've been here eight years."

O'Malley noted about 60 percent of the restaurant's customers are from Delaware and business has been so good that many visitors are shuttled from the satellite parking lot.

Shark's Cove is also being discovered by newcomers who spot the restaurant from the bridge.

"I work the door every night, so I know when there's a new customer," O'Malley said. "The only problem is summer is going too fast."

The menu is also posted on the restaurant's web site (www.beach-net.com/sharkscove).